dog and three dollars

(after Mark Twain).I have always believed that a man must be honest. “Never ask for money you haven’t earned”, I always said.

Now I shall tell you a story which will show you how honest I have always been all my life.

A few days ago at my friend’s I met General Miles. General Miles was a nice man and we became great friends very quickly.

“Did you live in Washington in 1867?”, the General asked me. “Yes, I did”, I answered.

“How could so happen that we didn’t meet then?” said General Miles.

“General”, said I, “ we could meet then, you forget that you were a great general then, and I was a poor young writer whom nobody knew and whose books nobody read”.

“You do not remember me”, I thought, “but we met In Washington at that time.

I remember it very well. I was poor then and very often I did not have money even for my bread. I had a friend. He was a poor writer too. We lived together. We did everything together: worked, read books, went for walks together. And then we were hungry, we were both hungry.

Once we were in need of three dollars. I don’t remember why we needed these dollars so much, but I remember that we had to have three dollars by the evening.

“We must get these three dollars”, said my friend, “I shall try get the money, but you must also try”.

I went out of the house, but I did not know where to go and how to get the three dollars. For one hour I was walking along the streets of Washington and was very tired. At last I came to a big hotel.

“I shall go in and have a rest”, I thought.

I went into the hall of the hotel and sat down on a sofa. I was sitting there when a beautiful small dog ran into the hall. It was looking for somebody. The dog was nice and I had nothing to do, so I called it and began to play with it. I was playing with the dog when a man came into the hall. He wore a beautiful uniform and I knew at once that he was General Miles. I knew him by the pictures in the newspapers. “What a beautiful dog”, said he. “It is your dog?”

I did not have time to answer him when he said: “Do you want to sell it?”

When I heard these words I thought about my friend and the three dollars which I had to get. “Well, I… I think …”

“Good”, said the General. “How much do you want for it ?”

“Three dollars” I answered at once.

“Three dollars?” he asked. “But it is very little. I can give fifty dollars for it”. “No, no. I only want three dollars”. “Well, it’s your dog. If you want three dollars for it, I shall be –glad to by your dog.”

General Miles paid me three dollars, took the dog , and went up to his room.

Ten minutes later an old man came into the hall. He looked round the hall. I could see that he was looking for something. “Are you looking for a dog, sir?” I asked . “Oh, yes. Have you seen it? Said the man. “Your dog was here a few minutes ago and I saw how it went away with a man”, I said. “If you want, I shall try to find it for you”. The man was very happy and asked me to help him. “I shall be glad to help you, but it will take some of my time and…”

“I am ready to pay you for you time”, cried the man. “How much do you want for it?”

“Three dollars.”, I answered.

“Three dollars?”, said the man, “but it is very good dog. I shall pay you ten dollars if you find it for me”.

“No, sir. I want three dollars and not a dollar more”, I said. Then I went to General Mile’s room. The General was playing with his new book.

“I came here to take the dog back”, said I.

“But it is not your dog now. I have bought it. I have paid you three dollars for it”, said the General.

“I shall give you back your three dollars, but I must take the dog.”

“But you have sold it to me, it is my dog now”.

“I could not sell it to you, sir, because it was not my dog”.

“Do you want to tell me that you took three dollars for a dog that was not yours” cried the General.

“I took the money, but I never said that it was my dog. You asked me how much I wanted for the dog, and I said that I wanted three dollars. But I never told you it was my dog”. General Miles was very angry now.

“Give me back my three dollars and take the dog back”, he shouted.

When I brought the dog back to its master, he was very happy and paid me three dollars with joy. I was happy too because I had the money, and I felt that I earned it.

Now you can see why I say that honesty is the best policy and that a man must never take anything that a man must never take anything that he has not earned.Vocabulary

a few days ago, a nice man, became grate friends, how could it happen, you forget, a great general, a poor young writer, we met once in Washington.

poor, did not have enough money, a friend, lived together, we were both hungry, in need of three dollars, I don’t remember, by the evening, you must also try, I did not know where to go.

for an hour, I came to a big hotel, A sofa, a beautiful small dog, I had nothing to do, I was paying, wore a beautiful uniform, by the pictures, is it your dog, I did not have tome, I heard these words, how much do you want, very little, fifty dollars, I shall be glad.

an old man, he looked round the hall, are you looking for a dog, a few minutes ago, it went away, to find it, happy, I shall be glad, some of my time, to pay you for you time, ten dollars, not a dollar more.

5. the General was playing, to take the dog back, not your dog, I have paid, I shall give you back,

General Miles wore in beautiful uniform and the author knew him at once.

General Miles paid three dollars, took the dog and went, up to his room.

The author took the money, but he never told General Miles that it was his dog.

General Miles was not angry at all when the author came to take the dog back.

The author was happy because he had the money, and he felt that he had earned it.

VI. Ответьте на вопросы. Старайтесь не смотреть в текст:

Did the author live in Washington in 1867?

Why did General Miles forget that they met in Washington?

Did the author meet General Miles in Washington/

How did the author and his friend live in Washington?

How much money did they need?

Did the author know where and how to get the money?

Where did the author see the dog?

Why did the author know General Miles?

Why did General Miles want to buy the dog?

Did he pay fifty dollars for a dog?

Did he want to give the dog back?

Why was the author happy when he got the 3 dollars?

VII. Перескажите текст:

от имени автора (используя упр.III)

от имени генерала Майлза;

от имени хозяина собаки.

Too well(after O’Henry)Miss Rouse Carrington was a famous actress. She began her life in a little village named Cranberry. But that was long ago. Now she was at the height of her fame, and in the coming season was to perform the leading part in a newly-written comedy. But was to perform the male character in the play?

One day a capable young actor by the name of Highsmith called on Mr. Timothy Goldstein, the manager. Highsmith dreamed of being Miss Carrington’s partner in the new play.

“My boy”, said the Goldstein, “take the part if you con get it. Miss Carrington does not want to listen to any my suggestions. She say’s that all our best actors won’t do. You know it is the part of a young farmer. She wants something genuine, a real imitation of county manners. If you want to play the part, you must convince Miss Carrington. I wish you luck, my boy”.

Next day Highsmith took the train for Cranberry. He remained there for three days. He found Miss Carrington’s family and collected many facts concerning life and people at Cranberry. Then he returned to the city.

That same night a small party was sitting at a table in one of the restaurants where actors used to gather when performance was over. The star of that small party was Miss Carrington – gay , happy, at the height of her fame.

At half past twelve a plain-dressed flaxen-haired youth entered the restaurant. He seemed very shy and awkward. The moment he entered he upset a chair, and sat awkwardly in another one. He looked shyly around, and then suddenly saw Miss Carrington. He rose and went to her table with a shining smile on his face.

“How are you, Miss Rose?”, he said. “Don’t you remember me—Bill Summers—the Summers that lived near the blacksmith’s shop? I think I have grown a little since you left Cranberry. Eliza Perry told me I might see you in the city while I was here”, he went on, “You know, Eliza married Benny, and she says…”

“She married in June”, Grinned the young man, “and the youngest of the Walton girls ran away with a music teacher last arch. Matilda Hockins died from pricking her finger with a needle, and Tom is courting Sally”.

She led him to an isolated table in a corner. She sat down in front of him and laid her chin upon her hands.

“I don’t recollect any Bill Summers”, she said thoughtfully, gazing straight into the innocent blue eyes of the rustic young man.

“Miss Rouse”, said he “I called on your family just two or three days ago”.

“How is ma?” asked Miss Carrington.

Highsmith understood that a bit of pathos was necessary.

“She is older than she was, Miss Rouse. When I saw her last she was sitting at the door and looking at the road.

“Billy”, she said, ”I’m waiting for Rosie. She went away down that road and something tells me that she will come back that way again.” When I was leaving”, the young man went on, “I took this rose from a bush by the front door, I thought I might see you in the city and I knew that you would like to have something from Cranberry”.

Miss Carrington took the rose with a smile, and got up. “Come to the hotel and see me before you leave city”, she said. “I’m awfully glad to see you. Well, good night. I’m a little tired. It’s tune to go to bed”. When she had left the restaurant, Highsmith approached Goldstein, the manager.

“It was a brilliant idea”, said the smiling actor, “I’m sure I shall get the part in that play. Miss Carrington will have to confess that my performance was genuine, and that I was a good actor.”

“I didn’t hear your conversation”, said Goldstein, “but your make up and acting were O.K. Here’s to your success! Call on Miss Carrington early tomorrow, tell her all, and I hope that she will agree to take you as her partner in the play”.

Next morning Mr. Highsmith, handsome, dressed in the latest fashion, called on Miss Carrington at the hotel. “Is Miss Carrington at home?” he asked the maid.

“Miss Carrington has left,” the maid answered, “and will not come back. She has cancelled all her engagements on the stage, and has returned to live in that—what do you call that village? Oh, yes,-- Cranberry”.

a famous actress; to perform the leading part; dreamed of being Miss Carrington partner; must convince; collected many facts; returned to the city.

Used to gather; the star of that small party; a plain-dressed flaxen-hair youth; upset a chair; “how are you?”; I have grown a little; “you don’t say so”; an old friend of mine; an isolated table.

Recollect’ I called on your family; ma; was sitting at the door; I am waiting for; I took this rose from a bush; a little tired; a brilliant idea; she will have to confess; she didn’t guess; he called on Miss Carrington; she will agree; handsome; cancelled all her engagements; Highsmith understood.

She was a good actress, and she wanted to play a leading part in a newly written comedy.

Highsmith, the young actor, was to perform the male character in the play.

Highsmith collected many facts concerning life and the people at the village where he lived.

At half past twelve a young handsome man entered the restaurant.

“I’m Mr. Highsmith”,- the plain-dressed youth said to Miss Rosie.

“When I was leaving “,- the young man went on,- “your mother took tills rose from a bush by the front door”.

Next morning Mr. Highsmith called on Miss Carrington at her hotel.

V.Ответьте на вопросы. Старайтесь не смотреть в текст:

What was Miss Carrington by profession?

Where did she begin her life?

Was she a good or a bad actress?

What part did she to perform in the coming season?

Who called on Mr. Goldstein one day?

What did Mr. Highsmith dream of?

To whose suggestions didn’t Miss Carrington want to listen?

What sort of part was it?

What did Miss Carrington want?

Where did Mr. Highsmith go next day?

How long did he remain at Cranberry?

What facts did he collect where?

Where was a small party of actors sitting when the performance was over?

Was Miss Carrington among them?

Who entered the restaurant at half past twelve?

What was the youth like?

What did he do as sat down in a chair?

Whom did he “suddenly” see?

By what name did he introduce himself?

Was Miss Carrington interested in the news from Cranberry?

Did she recollect Bill Summers?

Whom Miss Carrington asks about?

What did Mr. Highsmith understand at that moment?

What did he say about her mother?

Why did a young man take the rose?

Did Miss Carrington ask a young man to come and see her?

Whom did Highsmith approach when Miss Carrington had left the restaurant?

What did Mr. Goldstein say about his acting?

Was Miss Carrington at the hotel next morning?

Where had she gone?

What did Highsmith understand then?

VI.Перескажите текст:

от имени автора;

от имени Хайсмита;

от имени Роузи Каррингтон, актрисы.

The Two Gifts(after O’Henry)Jim and Della were very poor. They lived in New York In a small room on the top floor of a high building. Jim was twenty-two years old, Della was twenty-one.

Both husband and wife worked very hard, but there never was any money in the house; for all they got went to pay the grocer, the bother, and the baker. And the rent was $8 a week.

And yet they owned two treasures of which they were very proud. These treasures were—Jim’s gold watch, which he received from his father, and Della’s beautiful hair.

It was the eve of New-Year’s Day. Della wanted to give Jim a present. She counted her money. One dollar and eighty-seven cents. That was all she had. Only $1.87 to buy a present for Jim. So she sat down on the sofa and wept. Suddenly she got up and went to the looking – glass. Her eyes shone brillia tly. Quickly she undid her hair. It reached below her knees and covered her like a cloak. And then she did it again quickly and nervously. She put on her old brown hat. Then she ran out of the door and down the stairs to the street.

She stopped before a sign and read the words: “M-me Sofranie. Hairgoods of all kinds”. Then she entered the shop. She saw Madame sitting at the counter. She was fat and red cheeked.

“Will you buy my hair?”, asked Della.

“Let me see it,” said Madame.

Della took of her hat and undid her hair.

“Twenty dollars”, said Madame, lifting the mass of Della’s golden hair with a practiced hand.

“Give me a money”, said Della…

The next two hours were like a happy dream. Della hurried from shop looking for Jim’s present.

She found it at last. It was a watch chain for which she paid $21. And then she hurried home with the chain and the remaining 87 cents.

Jim was not at home. Della got out of curling irons and lighted the gas and went to work. In forty minutes her head was covered with tiny curls. She looked like a schoolboy. She said to herself: “I hope Jim not kill me. But what could I do – oh, what could I do with one dollar and 87 cents.

At seven o’clock the coffee was ready. Della sat waiting for Jim. She heard his steps on the stairs, and she turned white for jus one moment. The door opened and Jim entered the room. He looked thin and very serious… and suddenly Jim stopped. His eyes were fixed upon Della, and there was an expression in them that terrified her.

“Jim, darling! She cried, “don’t look at me like that: I sold my hair because I wanted to give you present. My hair will grow again. It grows very fast. Say ‘A Happy New Year’, Jim, and let us be happy. You don’t know what a beautiful present I have for you”.

Jim sighed. He drew a package from his overcoat pocket and threw it on the table.

“If you open that package, you will understand,” he said.

Della took off the paper and string. There lay the beautiful combs that Della saw in a Broadway shop window. Now they were hers, but her hair was gone.

Suddenly Della jumped and cried:

“Oh, Jim, I shall give you your beautiful present.” She held it out to him upon her open palm.

“Isn’t it a beautiful chain? Give me your watch: I want to see how it looks on it.”

Jim did not obey. He fell on the sofa and put his hands behind his head and smiled.

“Della”, said he,” I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs. It the coffee ready?”

Madam Sofronie was a young woman, thin and pale, she was standing at the counter when Della entered the shop.

Della sold her hair because she wanted to buy a new watch for Jim.

V.Ответьте на вопросы. Старайтесь не смотреть в текст.

Where did Jim and Della live?

How old was Jim and how old was Della?

Why was there never any money in the house?

What were their “treasures”?

What did Della want to give Jim?

Why did she weep?

What did Della do to get some money?

What did she buy?

What did she do when he came home?

What did she look like in forty minutes?

What did Della say when Jim saw her?

What did Jim buy for her?

Could she use the beautiful combs?

Why did Della want to see Jim’s watch?

Did Jim give her his watch? Why?

VI.Перескажите текст:

от имени Деллы;

от имени Джима.

The Love Drug

(after Riddle’s. He O’Henry).Jim a young car-driver, was a boarder at old was in love with Riddle’s daughter Rosy. And Rosy was in love with Jim. They wanted to get married, but Mr. Riddle, Rosy’s father, was against it. He hoped to found a rich husband for his daughter. Jim has a friend who worked as a clerk at a druggist’s shop. His name was Pilkins.

Jim often called on Pilkins at his shop, and they talked and discussed things, and Jim, who was very frank and talkative, told Pilkins that he loved Rosy and that she loved him. When Jim talked of Rosy, Pilkins listened in silence and never said a word.

One afternoon Jim called at the shop and sat down upon a chair. He looked excited. Pilkins took the chair opposite him. Jim began: “Old Riddle does not like me. For a week he hasn’t let Rosy go out side the door with me. He probably suspects that we love each other. So rosy and I have decided to run away to-night and get married. That is,” he continued, “if she does not change her mind until the times comes. One day she says she will; the same evening she says she won’t because she is afraid”.

“Ahem!” said Pilkins.

“We have agreed on to-night. But it is five hours yet till the time, and I’m afraid that she will change her mind again.”

Jim stopped and looked at Pilkins.

“But you can help me”, he said.

“I don’t see how,” said the Pilkins.

“I say, Pilkins, isn’t there a drug to give Rosy when I see her at supper to-night it may give her courage and she will keep her promise and run away with me.”

“When is this foolishness to happen?” asked Pilkins, gloomily.

“At ten o’clock. Supper is at seven. At nine Rose will go to bed with a headache. At ten go under her window and help her down the fire escape. Can you make up such a drug, Pilkins?”

“I can. I shall make it up for you, and you will see how Rosy will think of you.”

Pilkins went behind his desk. There he crushed to a powder two tablets, each containing a quarter of a grain of morphia. He folded the powder nearly in a white paper. “This,” he said to himself with a grin, “will make Rose sleep for several hours”. He handed the powder to Jim telling him to give it to Rosy in liquid, if possible, and received his hearty thanks.

Then Jim has gone, Pilkins who was secretly in love with Rosy, went to Mr. Riddle and told him of Jim’s plan for eloping with Rosy.

“Much obliged’, said Mr. Riddle briefly, “The villain! My room is just above Rosy’s. I will go there myself after supper and load my gun and wait. If he comes under Rosy’s window, he will go away in an ambulance instead of eloping with her.”

Pilkins was sure that now he had nothing he fear from his rival. All night he waited for news of tragedy, but none came. At eight o’clock Pilkins could not wait no longer and started for Mr. Riddle’s house to learn the outcome. The first man he saw when he stepped out of shop, was Jim with a victor’s smile on his face. Jim seized his hand and said:

“Rosy ad I were married last night at 10.15. She is now in my flat. Oh, how happy I am! You must come to see us some day.”

“The – the powder?” stammered Pilkins.

“Oh, that powder you gave me? It was this way. I sat down at he supper table last night at Riddle’s. I looked at Rosy and said to myself: “Don’t try any tricks with that girl. She loves you well enough: he must feel more love for me.” So I watched my chance and put the powder in old man Riddle’s coffe-see?”.